Quantum Interference in Classical Physics & and its Impact on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

Fritiof Wallentin

It is shown that the hallmark quantum phenomenon of contextuality is present in classical statistical mechanics (CSM). It is first shown that the occurrence of contextuality is equivalent to there being observables that can differentiate between pure and mixed states. CSM is formulated in the formalism of quantum mechanics (FQM), a formulation commonly known as the Koopman-von Neumann formulation (KvN). In KvN, one can then show that such a differentiation between mixed and pure states is possible. As contextuality is a probabilistic phenomenon and as it is exhibited in both classical physics and ordinary quantum mechanics (OQM), it is concluded that the foundational issues regarding quantum mechanics are really issues regarding the foundations of probability.

Lazzaro Immediata, S. Pagano

Markus Arndt

Lingguang Xu

Traditional quantum mechanics interprets double-slit interference, delayed-choice experiment, quantum eraser experiment, and quantum Zeno effect as fundamental counter-intuitive characteristics of microscopic quantum systems. The conventional framework relies on wave-particle duality, abstract wavefunction collapse, observer-dependent quantum state switching, and information-dominated physical behavior. This paper abandons the traditional assumption of empty vacuum and wave-particle duality. Based on the discrete, elastic, compressible KuiQuark sea medium model, we provide a fully classical, deterministic, mechanical unification of the four core quantum interference phenomena. All quantum paradoxes are eliminated completely. The so-called quantum wave behavior is not an intrinsic property of microscopic particles, but a macroscopic statistical effect induced by particle-excited medium secondary waves and medium ordered structures in vacuum. We further classify two independent physical mechanisms of interference: multi-photon strong-light interference originates from the superposition of helical trajectories of real photon spherical shell clusters, while single-electron sequential interference originates purely from the coherent superposition of KuiQuark medium secondary waves. The delayed-choice effect contains no retro-causality; it only destroys the existing ordered medium channel field after the particle has passed the slit. The quantum eraser effect is a precise mechanical reverse compensation of medium deformation, realizing reversible recovery of medium coherence. The quantum Zeno effect is a dual mechanical locking mechanism: continuous high-frequency detection disrupts balanced medium distribution and forms large-scale reverse medium impact force, which counteracts the forward kinetic energy of particles and freezes microscopic evolution. This study fundamentally eliminates the non-classical hypothesis of traditional quantum mechanics and provides a new deterministic medium-based physical foundation for microscopic interference and quantum observation effects.

Paul Busch, PEKKA J. LAHTI, Peter Mittelstaedt

This volume offers discussions on foundational problems of quantum mechanics and other fundamental physical theories, taking into account new experimental developments. The surveying of the progress with respect to fundamental questions of the quantum theory of measurement forms the guiding line of thought of this Symposium, the main themes of discussion being: the inter-relation of quantum measurement and irreversability; the physics of information (concerned with questions of information processing and quantum noise); quantum interference and mesoscopic quantum effects (searching for the micro-macro borderline); and the quantum-classical relationship (the need for classical pointer and their realization).

R. D. Prosser